Social Disorganization Theory: Dudley Street Neighborhood

Social Disorganization Theory asserts that an individual’s interaction with the environment has a direct effect on ones attitudes and thoughts. Collective efficacy is increased through the experience of control over the environment. However, a community must recognize its own common values to be able to control it effectively (Rine & Hartinger-Saunders, 2012). The Dudley Street neighborhood was extremely socially organized.

The Dudley Street neighborhood accomplished collective efficacy in many ways. When meetings were being held to revitalize the Dudley Street neighborhood, those running the meeting were from outside of the community. Residents attended and advocated for themselves at these meetings. Ultimately, these meetings provided

Residents began to see that they had some level of control over their environment.

When one makes efforts to change existing institutions to meet individual needs and to ultimately achieve social and economic justice for the well being of society and it’s members, they are participating in social action (Rogers, 2013). Through a mobilizing structures perspective (Rogers, 2013), the Dudley Street neighborhood organized and used existing resources to make change by bringing together community members to create the Dudley Street Neighborhood Initiative (DSNI).

The cultural framing perspective posits that social movements can only be successful when a group striving towards a goal can agree on the main purpose of the movement (Rogers, 2013). This is largely why the DSNI was successful. The community members were included in the decision making process. Community members agreed on their representatives and initiatives through a democratic process. Furthermore, members of the DSNI would frequently survey the community to gauge which issues were considered to be most important. The issues that got the majority vote were

Community members demonstrated their commitment to the Dudley Street neighborhood by taking an active role in the development and change of their community. The DSNI took a social action approach in which the members of the community were empowered to initiate change for themselves instead of having change being imposed upon them or arranged for them. They took complete control.

Developmental perspectives assert that environments can either contribute to a young persons bio-psycho-social development or have a negative impact by providing protective or risk factors (Davies, 2011).

Before the DSNI was created, the neighborhood created many risk factors for child and adolescent development. The neighborhood was unsafe on many levels. It was plagued with trash and possible toxins through illegal dumping. Exposure to this type of environment will have a negative impact on biological health and development.

The empty lots were also grounds for a lot of illegal drug activity, which increases the likelihood of violent activity. This creates a very dangerous environment. Exposure to drugs would have a negative impact on the health and development of a child. Furthermore, a dangerous community is a big stressor and will have a negative impact on the mental health and well being of youth in the